Here's my take: AirBnB isn't just casting a wider net. They're changing their entire business model because the original one is severely flawed. I've said this

Here's my take: AirBnB isn't just casting a wider net. They're changing their entire business model because the original one is severely flawed. I've said this before: renting a room/bed out of your home like a hotel most likely violates multiple tax and business laws in just about every US city ... LET ALONE the severe liability someone faces should a guest in your home slip in the shower and break their collar bone. I've worked at a resort hotel. Cities have specific bed taxes. Hotels have to be inspected. They have liability insurance. Vacation rental owners pay taxes. Some cities don't even allow short-term vacation rentals. We've already seen the ride-sharing website ruled illegal in some cities. I predict the same thing will happen here. If AirBnB wants to go the legitimate route and compete with VRBO, HomeAway, etc. ... great. But I've honestly been stumped by this site since it's inception. I have nothing but respect for YC/PG, but I honestly can't understand what they saw in the original business plan/model. If I was a VC, I wouldn't touch this site.